LUCKY

Lucky would be one way of describing my career as a photographer. I picked up a camera and started shooting, and fortunately, people responded to my work. 12 years later, I have turned that initial luck into consistent quality for my clients, going above and beyond. Every image is my reputation, and I'm only as good as my last shot. Because of that reputation, I have the best clients in the world... so I was again very lucky to have a designer that I've worked with before ask me to shoot their fall campaign featured in the September issue of Lucky, which is on newsstands today! Check it out...

10 Tips to Slim Down for your Photoshoot!

The images you see in fashion magazines are not real. Nobody looks like that. It's called retouching. Now, I think I'm one of the luckiest guys I know... I have a job where I get to photograph the most beautiful women in the world. But even these models pick apart their bodies, just like the rest of us. They hold themselves to unrealistic standards... sound familiar? Don't get me wrong, they don't think they are ugly either, but they all have a feature that they "don't like." Maybe it's their thighs, or stomach, or posterior... or maybe it's their nose, or hair, or eye color. Most of the time, these so called "flaws" are what makes this person unique and beautiful. I'm sure if we look hard enough, all of us have a feature we would like to change - but is it really as bad as we think? Probably not.

The most common area people seem to be unsatisfied with is their weight. Many of my clients contact me to schedule a shoot, but want to drop a few pounds first... though they are not entirely sure of how long it will take to reach their weight loss goals. They want to know if they should go ahead and shoot now... or wait until they achieve their ideal physique?

Now the right camera angle can work wonders... and I can definitely shave of several pounds with the lens. In most cases I can hide and extra 10, sometimes 20 lbs... That said, there are several considerations to take into account to determine when is the right time for you to shoot if you are planning to lose weight:

A) Do you have fitness and nutrition plan, with realistic goals? And do you have the dedication to stick with it?

B) If so, is this a lifestyle change that you can maintain, or is this a temporary diet to achieve a one time target weight?

C) Do you currently have an agent, and are you auditioning?

If you answered no to question A), then waiting to shoot may only be delaying you from getting great marketing materials necessary to move your career forward. And if your health program is not a lifestyle change, then shooting while at your ideal physique may be a waste of money if you quickly revert back to your pre-diet self.

However, if you do have a plan, and are dedicated, and will stick with it... go ahead a wait to shoot until you have reached your targeted goals. If you don't currently have an agent, and are not auditioning, there is no rush to shoot either - though you will need that great headshot to get an agent.

Ultimately you will have to evaluate the pros and cons, and decide when it is best for you to shoot. Typically, shooting while at your average weight, one that is easy for you to maintain, is the best way to go. If you do begin an new health program, please consult with your physician and get the OK first.

People are so often worried about al these little "imperfections..." but the key to remember is that they are part of what makes you unique and special. I now that sounds cliche, but it's true. Don't get caught up trying to look like the cover of some magazine, because that person only exists in photoshop. And certainly don't cause yourself harm by improper nutrition - your health is your most important asset. Besides, your photos need to be an accurate representation of you for marketing purposes anyway.

Check out these 10 tips to safe weight loss from the Mayo Clinic.

No matter what, have fun, accept yourself big or small, and live well! Good luck with your fitness and career goals. When you need great pics, you know where to get them...

www.kerrybeyer.com

HUEY LONG: NY TIMES

Several months ago I had the honor of photographing legendary guitarist Huey Long of the "Ink Spots" for The Fretboard Journal. Sadly, Huey has passed at the age of 105. Learn more about his amazing life in the New York Times article featuring my recent photographs of Huey. It was a privilege to have met him. He will be missed! Read more in the NY Times...

HOW TO GET AN AGENT: PART II

I’m assuming you don’t suck as an actor? That you are on the top of your game? That your work is truly on par with what you see on TV and at the movies. Take an honest look at your work, because you are not doing yourself any favors by walking around in denial. If there is an area you need to improve on, then stop looking for an agent and work on that area first.

I know, not what you want to hear, but if you want to be successful, you’ll have to bring you’re “A” game! Think of yourself as a top athlete that must constantly train and condition. “But Kerry, I see people on TV all the time that can’t act their way out of a paper bag, I can do better than that!”

Can you, really? This “bad actor” hit their mark, said their lines, and held the frame. They didn’t get nervous and spaz out when acting across from a Star. And to get to this point, they’ve been pounding the pavement and playing the game for a long time, proving themselves along the way.

Okay, enough said, you get the point. Now, I’m going to be painfully honest with you and tell you the two types of people that work in Hollyweird. If you fall into the third category, you are going to have to work a little harder to stake your claim. Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just telling you like it is…

Really, really pretty people work. And really, really ugly people work. Hollywood needs heros and villains. If you don’t fall into either of those categories, then you are a sidekick. In which case you will have to work on your comedy skills to be the funny, quirky best friend.

It’s okay, you don’t have to hate the pretty people, they have a tough time in their own way. There are a gazillion pretty people in LA – all going out for the same part. And most people automatically think that the pretty people can’t act, and are just skating by on their looks. Which many of them are.

So, first things first, you must realize that you are no longer you. Think of yourself instead as a multinational corporation marketing the product that is YOU! To market this product, first you have to do a little product development. Figure out which category you belong in – hero, sidekick, or villain. Be honest. Then figure out what type of characters in your category that you are best suited for. Are you the quirky best friend? The geeky computer guy? The high strung Wallstreeter? Work up these characters that fit you, so you can pull them out of your bag of tricks when you need to.

Now, develop your marketing materials, and plan your ad campaign. You need great headshots, that accurately represent you, that suggest these various characters that you can play. You need to brand your image, just like Coke and Pepsi. Start by creating an online presence – start a blog or video blog, join online casting sites, create an email newsletter, join Facebook, Myspace, and any other relevant social networking site.
Once you have your marketing materials and game plan, start marketing… but not to agents. Lets be honest… the headshot and resume that you sent to the agent cold is ending up in the trash can. You don’t want to go begging an agent to rep you… What you want is for the agent to come to you.

One of my clients got signed to a top “A list” agency in LA from a one line mention in Variety regarding a stage performance in Houston. “This kid has a face that belongs on the WB,” the reviewer said. That was enough for an LA agent to pick up the phone and give the kid a shot.

Start out as your own agent. Market yourself to independent films, theatre companies, commercial production companies, and casting directors. Network. Build a strong body of work. Book a big enough job, or get a nice mention in a well read trade, and the agents will come to you. You never know when that little independent film will screen at a major festival like Sundance.

Most people know me as a photographer, but what they don’t realize is that I got into photography after being an actor (it’s not just a coincidence that I take great headshots). I had done a number of independent films, commercials, and industrials in Texas, and was working about as much as you could in the Texas market. An agent saw my work in an independent film that screened at SXSW, and wanted to rep me in LA. I figured it was time, so I packed my bags.

I’ll go into detail about the transition from working in Texas to working in LA in another article, but for now, I’ll let you in on a little secret… 50% of the jobs that I have booked as an actor have been a result of my own leg work, even while having a top agent. Getting an agent doesn’t mean you can sit back and let the work come to you.

There is no magic bullet. No fast path to stardom. Sure, it seems to happen that way for some people. But by and large, it takes years of dedication and hard work. Be the best, most marketable actor you can be, and the rest will fall into place. Break a leg, and when you need great headshots, think of Kerry Beyer Photography.

© Kerry Beyer

PILOT SEASON: SHOULD YOU GO?

Pilot Season: Should You Go?

No other season in Los Angeles inspires more awe and excitement among actors than Pilot Season – a time when new shows are created by the networks, and new stars are born, seemingly overnight. Actors from across the country flock to tinsel town for three months of audition mania; sleeping in their cars, crashing on friend’s couches, and pounding the pavement, hoping to get their shot at the big time. Should you be one of them?

Beginning in mid January, after everyone gets back from the Sundance Film Festival, Pilot season typically lasts until mid April. This is when the majority of television pilots for the following fall TV season are produced. The whole town is overwhelmed with activity, and an actor can have several auditions in a single day. But don’t expect to just swoop into town in mid January and start beating down doors, declaring your stardom – you will have to do plenty of groundwork well before you even set foot in LA.

That high powered agent that you want to rep you won’t have the time to take on a new client during the chaos of pilot season. Plan ahead and establish that relationship in the summer or fall. You will most likely have to make a few trips to LA beforehand to take meetings and scope things out. That way, you can arrive in January with representation, a place to stay, and all of your marketing materials. Yes, you will need an updated headshot, resume, and demo reel… and, of course, by now you should know where get great headshots, ahem ;-)

Pilot season is an especially great time for kids. Casting directors and producers are very open to looking at new, young talent. Child actors are all starting out on a somewhat level playing field, and unlike adults, they don’t have 20 years of strong credits behind them, thus enabling newcomers a better chance of breaking in.

Taking months off from school can present a challenge for kids, but LA is no stranger to working child actors, and there are many specialized academic arrangements that can be made. Some parents choose to home school during that time, and the temporary housing facility at Oakwood Toluca Hills offers a customized program specifically catering to the needs of child actors and their families.

Furnished apartments, quality services, convenience, and experience in the entertainment industry make Oakwood one of the best choices for temporary housing. Only minutes from the backlots of most major studios, complete with a rental car company on site, as well as a convenience store, I find Oakwood a great place to stay for both kids and adults during pilot season - but make your reservations early, as it will be booked solid during the season.

For both kids and adults, the LA market can be challenging. The competition is high, and the market is clearly segmented into genres – half hour comedy, hour long episodic, soaps, movie of the weeks, and features, each with their own audition style. During pilot season, the situation comedy reigns supreme – so hone your comedic timing. Not only will you be competing against the best and brightest from around the country, you will be competing against, and matching up with, name actors. And this is the challenge of pilot season. The process goes something like this:

You pre-read for the casting director. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a producer call back. Then another. Then you go before the network, and then maybe do a test. Then most likely the network will err on the side of caution and go with an established actor that has perhaps worked with the network before. Or maybe the star has someone in mind that they’d like to work with, and they end up going that route. Those are the realities of the business. But even though you didn’t get the part, you have accomplished a few things – you have begun building a relationship with the casting director and the network. Enough times in front of the suits at network and maybe they will take a chance on you.

Now I’m going to let you in on a little secret of pilot season. Many of these name actors are holding out for a pilot, and don’t want to take a smaller project that could interfere. This is the hidden opportunity in pilot season. Focus your attention on the smaller projects and independents that are having a hard time casting because everyone else is busy with pilots.

All of that said, Pilot season may not be the best time for a new actor to go to LA. Since there is high competition among name and credited actors for pilots, new actors may stand a better chance of picking up smaller roles during Episodic season. Beginning just after July 4th, Episodic season runs until October, and all of the pilots that were picked up by the network begin filming. This season offers audition opportunities for ongoing episodes, with many bit parts, as opposed to the principal roles that were cast during Pilot season. A few of the shows may see principal players recast during this time as well, but by and large, this season is about guest stars, day players, and 5 lines or less roles. Remember, there are no small parts, only small actors. Breathe life into those smaller roles, and create unique performances that stand out. I’ll talk more about how to do that in a future article.

When Episodic season ends, the television industry generally goes on Hiatus – and many industry professionals take this time to go on vacations and get out of town before the madness starts all over again in January. This may be another hidden opportunity for some actors, as the availability of many of the known actors may be limited during this time – opening a door for someone who happens to be both talented and available.

Lets not forget the independents. When TV season ends, stars are often looking for independent films of merit that will launch them into the coveted “Movie Star” status. They’ve made a phenomenal amount of money from their TV show, and can afford to take a chance on a low budget film that may receive critical acclaim, and showcase a different range for their talent. Hiatus may be a great time for you to market toward the independents for the smaller roles.

Now I have some shocking news for you. Pilot season doesn’t really exist. Well, not like it used to. Sure, the big three networks still dictate the traditional Pilot season, but with the proliferation of original cable programming that is in development year round, and shot during “non-traditional” periods, the previously hard and fast time frames of the seasons are blurred.

So when is the best time to go to LA and give the big leagues a shot? Well, ultimately, the decision of if and when to go to LA depends on many factors - Can you take the time away from school or your job? Can you afford the extra expense? Are your acting skills up to industry level? Knowing the “seasons” can help you focus your marketing efforts, but keep in mind that though many careers seem to happen overnight, they are often the result of years of calculated effort and persistence.

Taking on LA for a season can be a great experience, whether you book a pilot or not. You will hone your acting skills, and be that much better prepared when you return to your regional market. I highly recommend the experience for any serious actor. But you will have to make Los Angeles an ongoing destination throughout your career if you intend to achieve a certain level of success. Though lightning may strike for some during a brief visit, quite often a single month in LA may not be enough to launch you to stardom, but it can be a great way to get your feet wet, and prepare you for the road ahead. In general, the more time spent in LA, the more opportunities you will create.

Whether you are in Los Angeles, or a regional market, pursue your craft with passion and dedication, always striving to be the best that you can be, and success will surely follow. Break a leg, and remember to thank me in your Oscar speech.

Learn more about Oakwood accommodations and tutoring.
http://www.oakwood.com/childactors

--Kerry
© 2009 Kerry Beyer
www.kerrybeyer.com

HOW TO GET AN AGENT

There is only one thing that stands between you and fame and fortune! Bring on the house in the hills, the paparazzi, and free designer clothes... Undoubtedly, you are the greatest undiscovered talent, and anyone who fails to recognize this is clearly a moron. All the world is sure to adore you - stardom is yours... if you can just get an agent to represent you, right?

I have had a gazillion agents in my career - some of them great, some of them terrible, but all of them interested in one thing... 10% commission. After all, this is show-BUSINESS, not show-friends.

In Los Angeles it works like this: The career of an agent begins in the mailroom, slaving away for hours on end, doing jobs no one else wants to do, getting as much respect as a doormat, all on a pay scale that makes the guy who took your order in the drive-thru seem like Donald Trump.

From there you work your way up to another crap job, then another, and another, until you are lucky enough to be the assistant to some other assistant of someone with a slightly less crappy job.

If you’ve managed not to commit suicide, you might actually find your way to assistant Jr. Agent... then Jr. Agent... they maybe one day, you might actually become a real live, Hollywood agent, on the tenuous condition that you can actually pull in enough revenue to cover your salary, assistant’s salary, office expenses, and your lunches at the Ivy... all on 10% of what your clients make.

Most agents have to bill $5,000,000 a year in client salaries to break even in LA. Are you starting to get the picture?

In regional markets, it is very different... There is not the intense competition for agent positions, and the overhead is not nearly the same, but none the less, the agency must cover operating expenses.

I know, who cares, just get to the part where you tell me how to get an agent, right? Okay, okay, but it should be obvious by now... BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY FOR YOUR AGENT!

Be marketable, well trained, professional, and dedicated. This is not a hobby for your agent, and neither should it be for you! Your agent has to look at you, and know how and where to sell you. You have to provide them with the best quality marketing materials as well - and I know I am biased here, but you cannot use the picture a friend took as your headshot.

Find a photographer who knows the business, creates an environment that you feel comfortable in, and has the skill and ability to capture that unique part of your personality that will set you apart! You have less than a second to make an impression on a casting director with your headshot - then it gets dumped in the trash.

Enough about the importance of photography, on to getting an agent. Send your headshot and resume with a BRIEF cover letter introducing yourself, stating your recent industry accomplishments, and request an interview. If you have a demo, send it in, or provide a link to YouTube, or wherever your demo is hosted. Follow up in 2 weeks with ONE phone call.

If you are turned down, thank them for their time, and ask if they wouldn’t mind discussing areas that you need to improve upon to be more marketable. They may suggest training, more experience, better marketing materials, etc., or you may simply not be what they need, as perhaps they represent a dozen other actors in your category.

Okay, say you get a call back with an interview time... prepare a comedic and dramatic monologue - under a minute each. Make sure your comedy is funny, and make sure your dramatic monologue doesn’t leave them wanting to slash their wrists. Good drama always has touches of comedy. Really, it’s okay to mix the two.

Before you start your monologue, ask the agent if they want you to give your read to them, or to a blank spot on the wall. Many times if you engage them directly during your monologue they will not feel free to take notes, or really observe your performance. So ask what they prefer.

Remember that this is an audition, and like all auditions, you have control over how you want to work. Agents and casting directors all want to find the next big thing - believe it or not, they want you to succeed. Do what you need to do to give a great performance. Stay tuned for my audition article to learn more.

Also be comfortable with cold reading. An agent may hand you commercial copy, or sides from a current TV series or movie, and give you five minutes to work it up.

Finally, an agent may ask you this seemingly simple question that strikes fear into the hearts of actors and trips many people up. “Tell me about yourself?”

“Ummm.... I don’t know?” is not a correct response. Neither is launching into a diatribe about how you are an ACTOR and how you LOVE ACTING, and how your whole life is based on ACTING, and how you’ve known since you were a small child that ACTING is what you want to do, and blah, blah, blah... And though I can hear the passion in your voice as you bare your soul, it is still nauseatingly boring and shallow, and highly unoriginal.

I mean, there are people out there dedicating their lives to finding a cure for cancer... and you want to dress up and play make believe for a living. These agents hear the same things over and over and over again... give them something fresh and intriguing. Surely you are passionate about something in your life that has nothing to do with the entertainment industry that you can talk about for 30 seconds to a minute when they ask you to tell them about yourself. If not, you are creative, make something up.

Most importantly, be yourself and have fun! Personality and professionalism are what sells in this industry, not prima donnas and drama queens!

Hope this helps, and when you need great pics, think of Kerry Beyer Photography.

--Kerry
© 2009 Kerry Beyer
www.kerrybeyer.com